Agenda and minutes

1.         This meeting is to be webcast. Members are reminded of the need to activate their microphones before speaking.

2.         The Chairman will read the following announcement:

“I would like to remind everyone present that this meeting will be broadcast live to the internet (or filmed) and will be capable of repeated viewing (or another use by such third parties).

If you are seated in the lower public seating area it is likely that the recording cameras will capture your image and this will result in the possibility that your image will become part of the broadcast.

This may infringe your human and data protection rights and if you wish to avoid this you should move to the upper public gallery.”

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Sub-Committee held on  11 October 2017.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 11 October 2017 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

(Director of Governance) To declare interests in any item on this agenda.

a)         Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor C Whitbread declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following item of the agenda. The Councillor had determined that he would leave the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

·         EPF/1762/17 - Land to the rear of Mountford and Bishops Bron, Oak Hill Road, Stapleford Abbotts.

(b)        Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor C Whitbread declared a pecuniary interest in the following item of the agenda by knowing the site through his business. The Councillor had determined that he would leave the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

·         EPF/1926/17 - 15 Theydon Place, Epping.

(c)        Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillors J H Whitehouse and J M Whitehouse declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following item of the agenda. The Councillors had determined that they would leave the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

·         EPF/1990/17 – 2 Theydon Place, Epping.

(d)        Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor P Keska declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following item on the agenda by virtue of being a member of Ongar Town Council. He stated he had no connection with the application or knowledge of the applicant. The Councillor had determined he would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the application and voting thereon:

·         EPF/2272/17 – 56 Longfields, Ongar.

Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, requires that the permission of the Chairman be obtained, after prior notice to the Chief Executive, before urgent business not specified in the agenda (including a supplementary agenda of which the statutory period of notice has been given) may be transacted.

It was noted that there was no other urgent business for consideration by the Sub-Committee.

(Director of Governance)  To consider planning applications as set out in the attached schedule

Background Papers:

(i)  Applications for determination – applications listed on the schedule, letters of representation received regarding the applications which are summarised on the schedule. 

(ii)  Enforcement of Planning Control – the reports of officers inspecting the properties listed on the schedule in respect of which consideration is to be given to the enforcement of planning control.

RESOLVED:

That the planning applications numbered 1 – 7 be determined as set out in the schedule attached to these minutes.

(Director of Governance) To consider the attached report.

The Sub-Committee received a report regarding Probity in Planning – Appeal Decisions 1 April 2017 to 30 September 2017.

In compliance with the recommendation of the District Auditor, the report advised the Sub-Committee of the results of all successful allowed appeals and the consequences of the decisions. In addition, two local indicators were measured which included all planning application type appeals as a result of committee reversals of officer recommendations (GOV008) and the performance of officer recommendations and delegated decisions (GOV007).  

Over the six-month period between 1 April 2017 and 30 September 2017, the Council received 56 decisions on appeals (48 of which were planning related appeals, the other 8 were enforcement related).

GOV07 and 08 measured planning application related appeal decisions and out of a combined total of 48, 15 were allowed (31.3%). Broken down further, GOV007 performance was 4 out of 32 allowed (12.5%) and GOV008 performance was 11 out of 16 (68.8%).

Out of the planning appeals that arose from decisions of the Plans East Sub-Committee to refuse contrary to the recommendation put to them by officers during the 6-month period, 2 appeals were allowed against decisions made and 2 were dismissed.

            RESOLVED:

That the probity in Planning report covering the period April 2017 to September 2017 be noted.